Steering column bushing



April 29, 1941. J. D. CHAMBERLIN STEERING COLUMN BUSHING Filed Sept. 12,1939 1N VENTO/e A "Iier: 1 1?.

BY Jss C' I 754mm/ ,/gg@

Patented Apr. 29,. 12941 stares Prem orifice STEERING COLUMNBUSHING JessD. Chamberlin, Detroit, Mich. Application September 12, 1939, Serial N0.294,531 i crains. (ci. sos- 134) This invention relates to bushings orbearings of the type adaptable for use in connection with the steeringgears of motor vehicles, and for other similar uses, the principalobject being the provision of a bushing or bearing of this type that isrelatively simple in construction, easy to assemble, efficient inoperation and economical to produce. It constitutes an improvement overcertain types of similar constructions disclosed and claimed in myco-pending application for Letters Patent of the United States SerialNo. 217,440, filed July 5, 1938, for improvements in Steering columnbushing.

Objects of the invention include the provision of a novel form ofanti-friction bearing or bushing including novel means constantly actingto take up any wear occurring between the parts, thereby to preventrattling thereof; the provision of a bushing or bearing of the typedescribed which is adapted to fit shafts having a large tolerance intheir diametrical dimension; the provision of a bushing or bearing ofthe type described so constructed and arranged as to permit it to beinserted in openings o-r bores having y.

relatively large tolerances in diametrical dimension; the provision of abushing or bearing of the type described the principal parts of whichmay be readily formed from sheet metal or thin vwalled tubing; theprovision of a bearing or bushing of the type described including innerand outer telescoping portions formed to provide two axially spacedpairs of oppositely disposed raceways and each being formed in twoparts, the

two parts of one of the portions being permay nently secured together inan enclosing metal jacket and the two parts of the other portion beingmaintained in operative relation by means of a resilient ring associatedtherewith; the provision oi a construction as above described in whichthe metallic jacket is in turn provided with a jacket of insulatingmaterial; and the provision of a construction as above described inwhich a limited swiveling action is possible between the two portions ofthe bearing permitting it to be employed between parts not in truealignment.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a bearing orbushing of the type described so constructed and arranged as to providean electrical contact member at one end hereof and an electrical leadextending therethrough; the provision of a bearing or bushing of thetype described in which one of the operative elementsthereof is formedto provide an-electrical contact element; the provision of a bearing orbushing `ci the type described in which the enclosing jacket for one ofthe two-part portions is `formed to provide an electrical contactelementi the provision oi a construction as above described in which themetallic jacket is further formed to provide a means for attachment to`an 'electrical lead; the provision of a construction as above describedin which one of the parts of one o1" the .telescoping portions is formedto provide a means for attaching an electrical lead thereto; theprovision of a construction as above described in which a connectingmember for an electrical lead is secured in electrical contact with thejacket and maintainedV in position by being clamped between the jacketand one of the telescoping portions.

The above being among the objects of the present vinvention the sameconsists in certain novel ,features of construction and combinations ofparts to be hereinafter described With reference vto the accompanyingdrawing, and then claimed,

having the above and other objectsl in View.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates suitable embodiments ofthe present invention and in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several different Views, Fig. 1 is a partially broken,partially sectioned fragmentary side elevational View of the upper endof the steering .gear for a motor vehicle, showing a bushing constructedinv accordance with the present invention interposed between thesteering shaft and the mast jacket thereof, the bearing being shown inside elevation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken diametrically through abearing of the type illustrated in Fig. l but not'I formed to provideany electrical conducting functions as is the bearing illustrated'inFig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken diametrically through thebea-ring illustrated in Fig.I 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the bearing shown in Fig. 3 taken as on theline 4 4 thereof;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are views lsimilar to Fig. 3 but illustrating mod-inedforms of construction.

In my prior application, above identified, bushings or bearings similarto that of the present invention are shown and described but in everyinstance Veither the inner or outer vsleeve member is shown as ofone-piece or integral construction. It has been found that certain ofthe constructions there shown were diiiicult to produce commerc-ialiy,the difficulty being primarily concerned with the assembly thereof andone of the principal objects of the present invention is to so modifythese former constructions as to overcome this diii'iculty and renderthem relatively easy to assemble. Furthermore, the bearings or bushingsshown in my prior application above identied were not as readily adaptedto certain types of steering gears in which an electrical contact ismade through the bearing or bushing in the operation of the horn and,accordingly, in accordance with a further phase of the present inventionthe bearings or bushings provided for herein may be modified to morereadily adapt them to this particular use.

In order to overcome the assembly difficulties experienced in certainforms of my prior invention above identied, both inner and outer racemembers are made in two pieces in accordance with the present invention,the two pieces of one of the race members after assembly beingfsecuredtogether into a rigid unit functionally equivalent to the single piecesleeve member of my prior invention by means of an 4enclosing jacket orhousing. This permits all of the hardened parts of the bearing to behardened prior to assembly, facilitates assembly, and permits the use ofa relatively thin, soft jacket member readily deformable to effect thenal assembly step' and which serves as an aid in assembly. Furthermore,where it is desired to employ the bushing as an electrical conductormember for the horn push button circuit the enclosing jacket or housingmay be readily formed either by itself or in conjunction with otherexisting and/or additional parts to effect this purpose.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing and particularly to Fig. 1thereof, the steering shaft of a steering gear for a motor vehicle isillustrated at 28 and as having suitably secured to the upper endthereof in a conventional manner by means of a nut 22 a suitable orconventional steering wheel 24. Below the steering wheel 24 the steeringshaft 20 is surrounded by a tubular cylindrical mast jacket or steeringcolumn 26 arranged in concentric and generally radially spaced relationwith respect thereto. A steering column bushing indicated generally at28 is interposed between the upper end of the mast jacket 26 and theshaft 28 to rotatably support and guide the upper end of the shafttherein.

In the construction illustrated in Fig.Y 1 one conventional type of hornbutton is illustrated and to which the bearing forming the presentinvention may be adapted so as to form a part of the circuit controlledthereby. The particular horn push button construction shown includes asleeve member 30 arranged concentrically with respect to the shaft 26and having an outwardly flanged lower marginal edge through which screws32 are projected to rigidly secure it to the upper face of the steeringwheel 24. Axially slidably received Within the sleeve 30 is the hornpush button proper 34, the outward movement of which in the sleeve 30 islimited by the inturned upper edge 36 of the sleeve 30 which engages theangular wall 38 of the horn push button 34. A U-shaped wire or hairpinshaped member 40 the legs of which extend downwardly through slots 42Aformed in diametrically opposite sides of the central bore of thesteering wheel 24 for the shaft 20 is positioned with its upper endwithin the horn push button 34 and such end bears against the innersurface of the shoulder 38 thereof. A washer 44 is received within thelower end of the push button 34 and `eceives the legs of the U-shapedmember 48 @e1-@through and a coiled spring 46 maintained undercompression between the washer 44 and the upper end of the shaftl 20constantly acts through the member 40 to urge the push button 34upwardly. As shown the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped member 40are normally maintained in spaced relation with respect to the upper endof the bushing 28 but may be brought into contact therewith when thepush button 34 is sufficiently depressed against the force of the spring46. The bushing or bearing 28 in Fig. 1 is provided on its upper axialface with a contact element suitably insulated from both the mast jacket26 and the shaft 20 and means are provided for electrically connectingthis contact element through the length of the bushing or bearing 28with an insulated electrical conductor 5U. It will be understood thatthe conductor 50 extends to the vehicle horn which in turn is connectedthrough a source of electrical energy, such as a battery, to a groundand that the shaft 20 and mast jacket 26 are also grounded. Under suchcircumstances when the horn push button 34 isV pressed suciently tobring either one or both ends of the U-shaped member 40 into contactwith thev upper end of the bushing 28, the electrical circuit throughthe horn is completed and the horn is caused to blow.

The bushing or bearing illustrated in Fig. 2 illustrates the presentinvention in its simplest and broadest form particularly inasmuch as noprovisions are made therein for providing electrical circuitstherethrough such as is required when employed in connection with a hornpush button of the particular type illustrated in Fig. l. Instead it maybe assumed that the bushing or bearing illustrated in Fig. 2 may beemployed in place of the bearing 28 in Fig. 1 where a different type ofhorn push button circuit not requiring the bushing or bearing as a partof the electrical ycircuit therefor is employed.

Referring to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the bushingv or bearing thereillustrated comprises an inner portion A and an outer portion B and eachportion-.is made in two parts identical rto one another but simplyreversed in position. Each part ofthe inner portion A comprises acylindrical axially inner portion 60 having formed integrally at theaxially outer end thereof a radially inwardly and axially outwardlycurved portion 62 the radially outer surface of which forms a ballrace'. The adjacent or opposed edges of the parts of the portion A arepreferably spaced from one another as illustrated. Each outer portion Bcomprises two parts as mentioned and each part comprises a cylindricalaxially inner portion 64 terminating at its axially outer end in anaxially outwardly and radially inwardly turned or curved portion 66which lies in opposed relation with respectto the corresponding portion62 of the corresponding part of the inner portion A andthe radiallyinner surface of which forms a ball race. Between each pairof opposedportions 62 and 6E is received a plurality of ball bearings 68, as i1-lustrated, and which maintain the portions A and Bin radially spaced andpredetermined axial relation with respect to each other.

The opposedl axial edges of the two parts of the portion B preferablylie in contact with each other as illustrated and are maintained in suchposition by means of an enclosing jacket or housing `lll the oppositeaxial marginal edges of which are inwardly turned as at 'l2 in contactwith the outer surfaces of the inwardly turned ends 66 and thus serve tomaintain the two parts of the portion B against axial separation as`well as in axial alignment with each other. In other words the jacket 10serves 'to integrate the two parts of the portion B so as to obtainsubstantially the same eiect as though the parts of the portion B wereformed integrally with each other.

The inner and outer portions A and B, as well as the jacket 'lil are allpreferably formed. from thin walled tubing or from sheet metal and theparts of the portions A and B are preferably of hardened character. Itmight be noted that the radius of the surfaces of the parts 62 and 66with which the balls 68 lie in rolling contact, is preferably greaterthan the radius of the vballs 68.

Received within the inner portion A of the bushing or bearing is aresilient and compressible sleeve or ring 'i4 the outer surface of whichis formed to a shape complementary to the shape of the radially innersurfaces of the portion A and snugly received therein as illustrated.The free length of the sleeve 'I4 and particularly that portion thereoflying between the portion 62 of the inner portion A is preferablygreater than its assembled length so that when in the assembled positionillustrated it constantly urges the two parts of the inner part Aaxially apart, thus eX- erting a pressure tending to compress the balls68 between their corresponding portion 62 and 66. This feature not onlyprevents possible rattling of the balls between the portions A and B butalso serves to take up any wear that may occur between the balls andtheir races. Furthermore, inasmuch as the free diameter of the bore ofthe ring 14 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the shaft '20 towhich it is adapted to be assembled, there is a tendency of the sleeve14 to elongate when assembled to its shaft 2n thereby accentuating thislast feature.

The resiliency of the ring or sleeve 14 which is preferably made ofrubber but may be made of any other suitable resilient, yieldablematerial,

such as felt, fabric or the like, is preferably such as to permit itsrelatively ready assembly upon the shafts such as 22 having a relativelygreat tolerance in diameter, for instance such as a "lil tolerance often thousandths of an inch or more.

This is a desirable attribute inasmuch as the shafts 2G may thus be madefrom standard rolled sections without requiring machining along the areaat which the bearing or bushing is applied.

The resiliency of the sleeve 'I4 is also of advantage in permitting theuse of the bearing where the connecting parts are not arranged withtheir axes aligned or in parallel relation, for instance in the caseillustrated in Fig. 1, where the shaft 20 is not absolutely aligned withthe mast jacket 26 'fand which occurrence would prevail where either theshaft 26 or mast jacket 26 is bent out of true straight form. In suchcase, however, and particularly in the present invention where the raceforming portions 62 and 66 provide races of greater diameter than thediameter of the balls 68, the condition illustrated by dotted lines forthe inner member A in Fig. 2 would occur. In other words the ring orsleeve 14 would be deformed so as to bring it out of true concentricrelation with respect to the outer portion B but additionally the twoparts of the inner portion A would also be caused to swivel or shiftedwith respect to their points of contact with the ball 68 as illustratedand thus permit the bearing to accommodate such mis-alignment withoutsetting up any undue stresses or otherwise materially affecting `theintended operating characteristics of the bearing.

In the bearing illustrated 1in Fig. 2, itsl outer .diameter being formedeine metallic part it will usually be necessary to maintain its externaldiameter within relatively close limits for production purposes. Forinst-ance, Where employed as aV steering column bushing such as thebushing 28 illustrated in Fig, 1, the interior of the mast jacket 26will ordinarily require machining to receive it with a light press fitas the internal diameter of the rough tubes such as the mast jacket 26is constructed from will not ordinarily be maintained at sufficientlyclose limits to permit the machining to be dispensed with. However, itwill be understood that the bearing illustrated in Fig. 2 may beprovided, in addition to the parts shown, vwith a resilient andyieldable outer covering such as is illustrated in the remaining viewsof the drawings and as disclosed in my prior application aboveidentified, in which case no machining of the bore of the mast jacket 26will ordinarily not be required.

In assembling the bearing illustrated in Fig. 2`

the procedure outlined below is followed. The outer jacket or housing 10Ais initially formed with its lower end inwardly turned to accommodatethe curved end 66 of the corresponding outer portion but the upper endthereof is allowed to remain in true cylindrical form as illustrated indotted lines in Fig. 2. The lower h-alf of the outer portion B is thendropped down into `the jacket 1B into the position in which it lies infinal assembly. The assembly thus provided is arranged with its axis ina vertical direction as illustrated in Fig. 2 and then the upper half ofthe inner portion A, disposed in the same relation as illustrated inFig. 2, is projected upwardly from the bottom of the assembly so thatthe upper curved portion I62 thereof partially projects up through thebottom of the jacket 10. Instead of using the upper half of the innerportion A any equivalently formed member or straight cylindrical plugmay be employed in its stead. In any case such member is projectedupwardly through the ybottom of the jacket 10 and the lower row of balls68 is then introduced and the individual balls are distributed intotheir finally assembled location.

The lower half of the inner portion A is then inserted downwardly intothe assembly through the upper end of the jacket or housing v'l0 untilits lower edge rests against the upper edge of the upper half thereof orother member which has been previously inserted upwardly through thebottom of the assembly, upon which the jacket 10 and lower part ofportion B is raised during the occurrence of which the lower half of theinner portion A moves downwardly into its finally assembled relationshipand the upper half thereof or other member is simultaneously withdrawnfrom the bottom of the assembly. This places the lower parts of bothportions A and B within the jacket or housing 1U in their yfinallyassembled relationship with the corresponding row of ball earings 63between them.

The upper half or part of the inner portion A is then inserteddownwardly through the .top of the assembly until its lower edge restsagainst rthe upper edge of the lower half or part `of the inner portionA and this is followed by the downward inserti-on of the upper half ofthe outer portion Binto the jacket or housing 'l0 but in this case it islowered only an amount sufcientto bring its lower edge into substantialalignment with the lower edge of the curved portion 62 of the upper part0r half of the inner portion A, kand this leaves sufficient spacebetween the curved portions 6.6 and 62 of .the upper parts of theportions A and B to permit the insertion of'thefupper row of ballbearings 88 between them. As soon as the upper row of balls bearings 68are inserted, the upper half of the outer portion 64 isV then moveddownwardly into its finally 4assembled relation and the upper end of thejacket or housing 'lll is then spun over the upper curved end 68 of theupper part of the outer portion B into the finally assembled formationshown which serves to lock the two parts or halves of the outer portionB firmly and rigidly in position. It will be understood that during thesteps of assembly above described it is preferable to introduce somerelatively heavy lubricant to the area of the ball races so as toprovide for a substantially permarient supply of lubricant for the balls68.

In the assembly thus far described, the parts or halves of the outerportion B are rmly and rigidly fixed with respect to each other but thetwo halves or parts of the inner portion A are free to move axially withrespect to each other and the outer portion B. The rubber or othersleeve "14 is bent or otherwise deformed and inserted in place and thismay be accomplished by partially folding the same, compressing it orotherwise acting upon it to permit it to be inserted in the innerportion A, and upon its being inserted fully into its intended positionwithin the inner portion A it acts, as previously described, between theshoulders formed by the curved portion B2 of such parts to force theshoulders and the corresponding parts axially away from each other andthereby cause the various ball bearings 88 -to be resiliently clampedbetween their respective opposite races. The assembly is thus completedand is ready for insertion into a steering gear or other suitable deviceor object.

The bearing shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in detail is assumed to be that shownin Fig. l and in which, as previously mentioned, is employed as a partof the electric circuit for the horn. The bearing illustrated in Fig. 3includes inner and outer two-part portions A land B identical to thoseshown and described in connection with Fig. 2 and between which ballbearings 6'8 are re ceived in identically the same manner as disclosedin Fig. 2. The main difference inthe construction illustrated in Fig. 3is that the jacket or housing lll corresponding to the jacket or housing'l0 previously described in connection with Fig. 2, instead of beingshaped at its upper end to conform to the curvature of the upper curvedend 86 of the upper part of the outer portion B instead is formed toprovide a radially inwardly directed annular shoulder 80 the innermarginal edge of which bears against the upper edge of the upper part ofthe portion B and in this respect serves the same purpose as the jacketor housing 'l0 previously described. Additionally, however, it presentsan upwardly facing fiat annular rin'g which serves as a contact forengagement with the U-shaped member 40 of the horn button mechanism.

An additional difference between the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4and that shown in Fig. 2 is that a ring member 82 is interposed betweenthe lower edge of the jacket; or housing 'l0' and the lower inturnededge 66 of the lower part of the outer portion B, it being shaped in itsradially outer portion to t snugly between the portion 66 and the lowerend of the sleeve or housing l' and extends radially inwardly therefromby a distance substantially short of the bore of the rubber ring orsleeve T4 which is identical to that shown in Fig. 2. The ring 82 ispreferably provided with means to facilitate its connectionto anelectric lead such as the lead 50 previously described and although thismay be accomplished in any suitable manner in the particular case shownit is provided with an eye 84 formed integrally therewith and of a sizeto receive an end of the metallic conductor within the electric lead 50which may be soldered thereto. It is also preferably provided with asecond eye 86, angularly spaced from the eye 84, also formed integrallytherewith and preferably of a diameter to receive the electrical lead 50therein so as to aid in supporting the corresponding end of the lead.Additionally, the eye 88 may be pinched slightly closed to clamp thelead 5U therein.

It will, of course, be understood that the bearing illustrated in Figs.3 and 4, being employed as part of an electrical circuit, must beinsulated both internally and externally against contact with othermetallic parts. The rubber sleeve 14 serves to insulate it from ametallic member such as the shaft 2U received therein. In order toinsulate the bearing from the mast jacket 28 or other equivalentsupporting member, the jacket or housing 'lll' is enclosed in a sleeve88 of suitable insulating material and while, in the broader aspects ofthe invention this may be constructed of any suitable electricalinsulating material of either a soft and resilient character or of arigid character, it is preferably constructed from substantially thesame material as the sleeve 14 is constructed from and preferably asuitably soft grade of rubber and preferably vulcanized directlythereto. It may be of such thickness as is required to effect thedesired purpose but particularly where employed in a mast jacket in asteering gear, such as the mast jacket 26 illustrated in Fig. 1, inorder t0 eliminate the necessity of machining the rough interior of themast jacket 28, it is preferably made of such thickness as to permit itto yield sufficiently to snugly fit Vthe bore of the mast jacket wherethe diameter of such bore is within the usual tolerances of such tubesas received from the manufacturer.

The bearing illustrated in Fig. 5 is substantially the same as thatillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 except for the following describeddifferences, and consequently all parts identical to those illustratedin Figs. 3 and 4 are indicated by the same numerals. The only differencebetween these constructions is the method followed in forming the sameto provide an electrical circuit therethrough and in the method ofsecuring the electric lead 50 thereto. In Fig. 5 instead of employing aseparate contact ring member such as the ring member 82, the lower endof the jacket or housing l0", which is otherwise identical to the part'lll' in Figs. 3 and 4, is formed to provide a pair of eyes 84 and 86corresponding exactly to the eyes 84 and 86 in Figs. 3 and 4, but inthis case formed integrally with the jacket or housing 'l0'.Accordingly, the jacket or housing lll in this case is preferably formedof brass or the like but may be formed of any suitable metal.

Likewise the only difference between the construction illustrated inFig. 6 and that illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is in connection withthe method of attaching the electrical lead 59 thereto, the constructionin this case following the construction shown in Fig, 5 more closely butinstead of providing the eyes 84 and 86 on the sleeve or jacket,illustrated as 10" in this case, the lower end of the jacket or housing10 in this case is extended ln cylindrical form of smaller diameter thanthe main body portion thereof as illustrated at 90 and the conductingelement of the lead 5u is soldered directly thereto as illustrated at92. All of the rest of the parts of the construction illustrated in Fig,6 are identical to equivalent parts illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 andare indicated by the same numerals, which ,thus eliminates the necessityfor further description of the same.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 7 a still different method ofsecuring the electrical lead 50 is shown. In this case the constructionis substantially similar to that illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 andidentical parts are illustrated by the same numerals. The main diierenceis that the conducting ring 82 and the eyes 84 and 83 are eliminated andthe only change is in connection with the lower half of the outerportion B which in this case is provided at its lower end with a tubularaxial extension 92 to which the electrical lead 50 is adapted to beconnected and which connection may be facilitated by the provision of anopening such 4as 94 in the extension 92. It may also be noted in thiscase the exterior rubber sleeve 88', corresponding to the sleeve 88previously shown and described, is of a slightly greater section thanthose previously described and is extended to a greater extent below thelower end of the jacket lor, housing 'I0'. Other parts being identicalto parts already described, further description of this modification isnot believed necessary Formal changes may beY made in the specicembodiments of the invention described without departing from the spiritor substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensuratewith the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A unitary bearing assembly iapplicable to and removable from a deviceas such, comprising, in combination, an inner metallic sleeve portionand an outer metallic sleeve portion arranged in concentric andgenerally radially spaced relation, each of, said sleeve portionscomprising a pair of separately formed parts disposed at axiallyopposite ends of said bearing assembly, each part of said sleeve portionbeing formedto Mprovide a raceway, said raceways being'arranged inopposed pairs and a plurality of ballbearings received between eachopposed pair of raceways, the two parts of the inner of said sleeveVportion being axially spaced from one another, a sleeve of resilientmaterial received by said inner sleeve portion and constantly Vactingagainst the two parts thereof to urge said two parts axially outwardlyaway from each other, the two parts of the outer sleeve portion beingarranged in axially contacting relationship, a metallic jacketexteriorly embracing said outer sleeve portion maintaining theconcentricity of Vthe parts 'of said portion, and inwardly turned endson saidiacket embracing the ends of the two parts of said outer sleeveportion and maintaining them against axial separation.

2. A unitary bearing assembly applicable -to and removable fromoperative position in a device as such, comprising, in combination, apair of metallic sleeve portions the opposite ends of both of which arecurved inwardly in spaced rel-ation with respect to each other to formbetween them two pair of opposed ball races, a plurality of ballsdisposed between each of said opposed pair of races, the inwardlydisposed end portions of the inner of said sleeve portions providinginternally of said sleeve portion a pair of axially'spaced shoulders,each of said sleeve portions comprising a pair of separately formedparts. arranged in axially opposed relationship, the parts of the outersleeve portion being arranged in contacting relationship and the partsofthe inner sleeve portion being arranged in spaced relationship, aresilient sleeve member fitting within the linner sleeve portion andhaving shoulder portions Iabutting the inwardly exposed shoulderportions of Vsaid inner sleeve member and constantly acting to urge theparts of said inner sleeve portion axially away from each other, andametallic jacket embracing said outer sleeve portion in contactingrelationship with respect thereto Iand having inwardly turned endportions thereon engaging the opposite en-ds of said outer sleeveportion and maintaining the parts thereof in contacting relationship andthe assembly as a whole in a Vunitary and assembled relationship.

3.- A unitary bearing assembly applicable to and` removable fromoperative position in a device as such, comprising, in combination, apair of metallic sleeve portions the opposite ends of both of which arecurved inwardly in spaced relation with respect to each other to formbetween them two pair of opposed ball races, the inwardly turned ends ofthe outer sleeve portion f' i being disposed axially outwardly of theinwardly turned ends of the inner sleeve portion and radiallyoverlapping said inner sleeve portion in axial View, a plurality of ballbearings-disposed between each of said opposed pair of races, eachoisaid sleeveportions comprising a pair of separately formed partsarranged in axially opposed relationship, the parts of the outer sleeveportion being arranged in axially contacting relationship and the partsof the inner sleeve portion being arranged in axially spacedrelationship, resilient means positioned within said inner sleeve memberand actingbetween the two parts thereof to constantly urge said partsIaway from each other in an axial direction, a metallic jacket embracingthe outer sleeve portion, and inwardly turned ends on said jacketembracing the opposite ends of said outer sleeve portion serving tolclamp the two parts thereof against separation and thereby lunifyingsaid assembly.

4. A unitary bearing assembly applicable to and removablefrorn'operativeV position in a device' as such, comprising, incombination, a pair of metallic sleeve portions arranged in generallyradially spaced relationship, each of said sleeve portions comprising apair of separately formed parts 'disposed at opposite ends of saidbearing assembly, the opposite ends of both of said portions beingcurved inwardly to form a pair of opposed ball races at each end of saidassembly, the inwardly turned ends of said inner sleeve portionproviding a pair of axially spaced annular shoulders interiorly thereof,a plurality of ball bearings disposed between each of said .opposed pairoi races, resilient means received by said inner sleeve portion andacting against'said shoulders to constantly urge the two p-arts thereofin axially spaced relationship and to resiliently clamp said ballbearings between their respective races, the parts of the outer sleeveportion being fixed against axial approach, means for maintaining theparts of said outer sleeve portion concentric and against axialseparation and simultaneously providing an electrical connection betweenopposite ends of said assembly comprising a metallic jacket enclosingsaid outer sleeve portion and maintaining the concentricity thereof, theend portions on said jacket embracing the axially outer ends of saidouter sleeve portion and maintaining the parts thereof against axialseparation and one of said end portions being formed to present anannular electrical contact surface, and a sleeve of electricalinsulating material surrounding said jacket. 5. A unitary bearingassembly applicable to and removable from operative position in a deviceas such, comprising, in combination, a pair of metallic sleeve portionsarranged in generally radially spaced relationship, each of said sleeveportions comprising a pair of separately formed parts disposed atopposite ends of said bearing assembly, the opposite ends of both ofsaid portions being curved inwardly to form a pair of opposed ball racesat each end of said assembly, the inwardly turned ends of said innersleeve portion providing a pair of axially spaced annular shouldersinteriorly thereof, a plurality of ball bearings disposed between eachof said opposed pair of races, a sleeve of yieldable and resilientelectrical insulating material received within said inner sleeve portionbetween and engaging said shoulders thereof to constantly urge the partsof said inner sleeve portion in a direction tending to separate saidparts axially, the parts of the outer sleeve portion being fixed againstaxial approach, means for maintaining the parts of said outer sleeveportion concentric and against Iaxial separation and simultaneouslyproviding an electrical connection between opposite ends of saidassembly'comprising a metallic jacket enclosing said outer sleeveportion and maintaining the concentricityV thereof,A the end portions onsaid jacket embracing the axially outer ends of said outer sleeveportion and maintaining the parts thereof against axial separation, oneend of said jacket being formed to simultaneously serve as an abutmentfor the end of the corresponding of said outer sleeve portions and topresent an annular electrical contact surface, means at the opposite endof said assembly in electrically connected relation with respect to saidcontact surface providing means for effecting an electricalV connection,and a sleeve of electrical insulating material surrounding said jacket.A

6. A unitary bearing assembly applicable to and removable from operativeposition in a device as such, comprising, in combination, a pair ofmetallic sleeve portions arranged in generally radially spacedrelationship,` each of said sleeve portions comprising a pair ofseparately formed parts disposed at'opposite ends of said bearingassembly, the opposite ends of both of said portions being curvedinwardly to form a pair of opposed ball races at each end of saidassembly, the inwardly turned ends of said inner sleeve portionproviding a pair of axially spaced annular shoulders interiorly thereof,a pluralityV of ball bearings disposed between each of said opposed pairof races, a sleeve of yieldable and resilient electrical insulatingmaterial received Within said inner sleeve portion between and e11-gaging said shoulders thereof to constantly urge the parts of said innersleeve portion in a direction tending to separate said parts axially,the parts of the outer sleeve portion being xed against axial approach,means for maintaining the parts of said outer sleeve portion concentricand against axial separation and simultaneously providing an electricalconnection between opposite ends of said assembly comprising a metallicjacket enclosing said outer sleeve portion and maintaining theconcentricity thereof, the end portions on said jacket embracing theaxially outer ends of said outer sleeve portion and maintaining theparts thereof against axial separation, one of said end'portions beinginternally formed to present an annular abutment for the end of one ofsaid parts of said outer sleeve portion and externally formed to providean electrical contact surface, an extension on that part of one of saidsleeve portions :opposite said annular contact providing means forattachment of an electrical lead thereto, and a sleeve of electricalinsulating material surrounding said jacket.

7. A unitary bearing assembly applicable to and removable from operativeposition in a device as such, comprising, in combination, a pair ofmetallic sleeve portions arranged in generally radially spacedrelationship, each of said sleeve portions comprising a pair ofseparately formed parts disposed at opposite ends of said bearingassembly, the opposite ends of both of said portions being curvedinwardly to form a pair oi opposed ball races at each end of saidassembly, the inwardly turned ends of said inner sleeve portionproviding a pair of axially spaced annular shoulders interiorly thereof,a plurality of ball bearings disposed between each of said opposed pairof races, a sleeve of yieldable and resilient electrical insulatingmaterial received within said inner sleeve portion between and engagingsaid shoulders thereof to constantly urge the parts of said inner sleeveportion in a direction tending to separate said parts axially, the partsof the outer sleeve portion being xed against axial approach, a jacketenclosing said outer sleeve portion and maintaining the concentricitythereof, one end portion on said jacket embracing the correspondingaxially outer end of said outer sleeve portion and being exteriorlyformed to present an. annular electrical contact surface, an electricalconnection member including an annular portion lying in contact withthat end of said outer sleeve portion opposite said contact surface, thecorresponding end of said jacket being inwardly turned over said annularportion whereby to clamp it to said outer sleeve portion and tocooperate with the opposite end of said jacket to maintain the parts ofsaid outer sleeve portion against axial separation, and a sleeve ofelectrical insulating material surrounding said jacket.

JESS D. CHM/IBERLIN.

